Secure wireless charging

ABSTRACT

A wireless charging apparatus and method utilizing a secure element is disclosed. Illustratively, a receiver containing a secure element securely communicates with a charging pad also equipped with a secure element. The communication can be used to establish the identity of the receiver and facilitate billing for the wireless charging. The charging pad may further communicate in a secure manner with a server to authenticate the identity and other information about the receiver before providing wireless charging. Direct communication between the receiver and server is also contemplated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application is a Continuation of application Ser. No.13/735,316, filed Jan. 7, 2013, which is incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In general, this invention relates to methods and apparatus for wirelesscharging. More particularly, it relates to methods and apparatus forwireless charging that include secure communication between receiver andcharging pad and/or a server or back office.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many equipments or devices, including, for example, mobile phones andelectronic equipments, to name but a few, contain rechargeablebatteries. An increasingly popular method of recharging suchrechargeable batteries is wireless charging. One example of wirelesscharging is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 8,212,518. It is common to referto the charging apparatus as the “transmitter” or “charging pad” or“pad” and to the device or equipment being charged as the “receiver”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes a receiveradapted to receive wireless charging from a pad having a coil forreceiving the wireless charging energy and a secure element forproviding encrypted information to the pad. Further embodiments includea communication chip for transmitting the encrypted information.

Other embodiments include a charging pad adapted to receive encryptedinformation from a receiver and having a coil for charging the receiverand a secure element for decrypting the encrypted information. Furtherembodiments include a communications chip for transmitting informationto the receiver.

Other embodiment include a method of charging a receiver which includesthe steps of providing a receiver to a charging pad which has a secureelement which provides encrypted information to the charging pad. Suchmethod may also include having the charging pad provide all or part ofthe encrypted information to a server. The server may be a cloud server.In another embodiment, the server may authenticate the encryptedinformation and then provide confirmation of the authentication to thecharging pad. In a further embodiment, the charging pad may subsequentlyprovide charging to the receiver.

Further embodiments include a method of operating a cloud server toreceive and decrypt information provided by a charging pad, whichinformation is provided to a charging pad in encrypted form by areceiver. Further embodiments may include causing the cloud server toreply to the charging pad in an encrypted manner with the reply causingthe charging pad to initiate charging of the receiver.

Yet another embodiment includes a method of charging a receiver whichincludes providing a charging pad which, upon proximate present of areceiver, engages in secure communication with the receiver. Thecharging pad subsequently transmits the secure communication to a serverwhich performs an authentication procedure and then transmits theresults of said authentication procedure to the charging pad, causingthe charging pad to provide charging to the receiver. In a furtherembodiment, if there is no communication between the charging pad andthe receiver, the receiver may communicate securely with the serverusing secure elements. The server may provide a charging signal to thereceiver and the receiver may relay this signal to the charging padwhich then commences charging. Yet further embodiments contemplatedinclude having the receiver store information regarding paymentinternally. When the receiver is provided to the pad, the receivertransmits information to the charging pad concerning payment and thecharging pad commences charging.

Before or after charging is performed, some form of payment or deductionof points or miles may be received from the receiver or owner of thereceiver or another entity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a chart showing another illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As wireless charging becomes more popular, there may arise a need toprovide facilities for wireless charging of receivers in public places.For example, airports and coffee shops may wish to provide wirelesscharging for their customers. Shopping malls and other places ofbusiness may wish to provide wireless charging for electric automobiles.

Under various circumstances it may be desirable for the provider tocharge money for the charging service(s) or for the provider to maintaina record of the charging transaction (i.e. to whom the service wasprovided, the amount of power transferred, etc.). Wireless charging maybe offered to customers as part of a customer loyalty program or mayrequire some sort of immediate payment.

Thus, it is desired that receivers be equipped for charging via padsthat communicate with such receivers in a secure manner. It is alsodesired that such pads be equipped with secure communication andverification capabilities.

Communication between the receiver and the pad may be accomplished via avariety of methods, such as: NFC, Bluetooth, or data modulation on thepower carrier (e.g. ASK, FSK, PSK, etc.). For example, the pad may beequipped with an NFC tag which receives a signal from the receiverindicating that the receiver is nearby and in need of charging andindicating further the type of receiver, etc. Alternatively, two-waypeer to peer NFC communication may be used. Alternatively, the pad maytransmit a low power signal to the receiver; the receiver may harvestsome of the incoming power to respond by providing a modulated signal onthe same carrier frequency indicating that it needs charging, therebydirecting the pad to provide charging energy to the receiver.

Whatever communication method is selected, it may be utilized to providesecure encrypted communication between receiver and pad so thatidentification of the registered owner of the receiver, identificationof various characteristics of the receiver (such as the standard orprocedures by which the receiver must be charged), and data related topayment (such as account numbers, crediting or debiting of accounts, oraddition or subtraction of loyalty points or miles) may be transmittedbetween receiver and pad.

The pad may be connected to a server, illustratively a cloud serverwhich may serve to validate payment transactions, or to update publickey infrastructure administration or to update loyalty databases(possibly maintained at the pad).

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment in more detail. Referencenumeral 11 denotes a charging pad. Pad 11 contains a charging coil 13operating under direction of a controller 15. Pad 11 also containssecure element 17 which operates under the direction of controller 15.Secure element 17 is capable of securely transmitting data,illustratively utilizing RSA or elliptic curves, possibly followed bysymmetric key cryptography, and providing verification/non-verificationinformation to controller 15.

If communication with a receiver is to be accomplished via NFC orBluetooth, a communications module or chip 23 connected to an antenna 21is provided. Module or chip 23 may operate under direction of controller15. If communication with the receiver is to be accomplished viamodulation of the power carrier, module or chip 23 is not required.

Receiver 111 is equipped with coil 113 for receiving energy for thewireless charging of its battery (not shown). Receiver also contains asecure element 117 for providing encrypted information to pad 11 aboutthe owner of the receiver, perhaps the party to be billed for thecharging services, account information (balances, etc.), perhapsinformation regarding the standard according to which the receiver is tobe charged, loyalty point or miles information, etc. Functioning of coil113 and secure element 117 and communication module or chip 119(discussed below) is controlled by controller 123 which may include asingle chip or multiple chips.

If communication with the pad is to be accomplished via NFC orBluetooth, a communication module or chip 119 is provided together withan antenna 121.

Prior to the beginning of wireless charging, and prior to transmissionof data between the pad and the receiver, an authentication procedureover the communication channel is desirably performed. If authenticationis successful, then secure communication via the respective secureelements may be set up. Encrypted tokens may be received, decrypted, andstored by either or both secure elements. Payment details can beestablished and then wireless charging can commence.

FIG. 2 is a chart illustrative of a process that may be followed.Receiver 111 sends a message via a communication channel (which may beone of the channels described above, i.e. NFC, Bluetooth, or variousforms of modulation transmitted utilizing energy harvested from aninitial pulse provided by pad 11). Sending of this message via encryptedtoken is for the purpose of authentication and is denoted by referencenumeral 301.

Pad 11 receives the encrypted token and decrypts it and may store thetoken as indicated in step 303. A further authentication takes place instep 305 in which pad 11 sends an encrypted token to a server 201 whichmay be a cloud server. The encrypted token sent in step 305 may be thesame as the token sent in step 303 or may contain additional informationregarding pad 11, such as its location, or other identifyinginformation.

In step 307, server 201 decrypts the token transmitted in step 305 andverifies the identity of receiver 111 and may verify other information,such as accounts, availability of funds, points, or miles, or billinginformation, etc. When server 201 has determined by applyingpredetermined logic that the proposed charging procedure is appropriateand that the identity of receiver 111 is established, it sends anencrypted response in step 309 to pad 11. Then pad 11 decrypts theresponse and commences charging receiver 111.

In addition, once verification has been completed, if necessary, furthersecure communication via the same (or different) communication channelsmay be accomplished between receiver 111 and server 201 via pad 11.

In an alternative embodiment, receiver 111 may communicate directly withserver 201 in a secure manner using NFC, or Bluetooth, or a variety ofother communication modes, such as CDMA, GSM, etc. Receiver 111 mayidentify itself to a server 201 and provide information about itslocation utilizing an appropriate mode of GPS. Server 201 may performany or all of the functions described above, such as verifying otherinformation, such as accounts, availability of funds, points or miles,or billing information. Server 201 may determine the location of pad 11by utilizing the GPS information provided by receiver 111 or by othermeans. Then server 201 may direct pad 11 to commence charging and mayperform billing or deduction of points or miles, etc.

The direct connection between server and receiver will permit thereceiver to get charging service rights or credits without going throughthe pad if the receiver is at the owner's home or another location farfrom the pad. Furthermore, if there is a connection failure between thepad and the server, a direct connection between the pad and receiverwill facilitate authentication and communication prior to charging.

Thus, a variety of situations are envisioned. For example, if there isno connection between the server and both the charging pad and receiver,it is envisioned that credits, miles, or points that may be stored onthe receiver may be utilized. If there is a connection between theserver and the pad, but not to the receiver, the actions previouslydescribed may be performed. If there is a connection between the serverand receiver, but not the pad, credibility may be checked via a 3G link.The charging signal may be provided by the server to the receiver whichrelays the charging signal to the pad. Finally, if there is a connectionbetween the cloud server and both the pad and receiver, any of themethod discussed above may be employed.

Various exemplary embodiments are described in reference to specificillustrative examples. The illustrative examples are selected to assista person of ordinary skill in the art to form a clear understanding of,and to practice the various embodiments. However, the scope of systems,structures and devices that may be constructed to have one or more ofthe embodiments, and the scope of methods that may be implementedaccording to one or more of the embodiments, are in no way confined tothe specific illustrative examples that have been presented. On thecontrary, as will be readily recognized by persons of ordinary skill inthe relevant arts based on this description, many other configurations,arrangements, and methods according to the various embodiments may beimplemented.

The present invention has been described with respect to particularembodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention isnot limited thereto, but rather, is set forth only by the claims. Thedrawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In thedrawings, for illustrative purposes, the size of various elements may beexaggerated and not drawn to a particular scale. It is intended thatthis invention encompasses inconsequential variations in the relevanttolerances and properties of components and modes of operation thereof.Imperfect practice of the invention is intended to be covered.

Where the term “comprising” is used in the present description andclaims, it does not exclude other elements or steps. Where an indefiniteor definite article is used when referring to a singular noun, e.g. “a”“an” or “the”, this includes a plural of that noun unless somethingotherwise is specifically stated. Hence, the term “comprising” shouldnot be interpreted as being restricted to the items listed thereafter;it does not exclude other elements or steps, and so the scope of theexpression “a device comprising items A and B” should not be limited todevices consisting only of components A and B. This expression signifiesthat, with respect to the present invention, the only relevantcomponents of the device are A and B.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for wirelessly charging a receiver at acharging pad, the method at the charging pad comprising: implementing anauthentication procedure between the charging pad and a receiver via anNFC communications channel; if the authentication procedure issuccessful between the charging pad and the receiver via the NFCcommunication channel, receiving a first encrypted token from thereceiver; decrypting the first encrypted token and storing as the firsttoken; sending a second encrypted token to a server, wherein the secondencrypted token includes an encrypted version of the first token andinformation about the charging pad; and further includes the encryptedidentification of the registered owner of the receiver; receiving anencrypted response from the server in response to sending the secondencrypted token; decrypting the response from the server to determinethat charging of the receiver is appropriate; and commencing wirelesscharging of the receiver if it is determined from the decrypted responsethat charging of the receiver is appropriate.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the second encrypted token includes information about thelocation of the charging pad.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thesecond encrypted token includes information about the identity of thecharging pad.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second encryptedtoken includes information about payment for the charging.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein once it has been determined from the decryptedresponse that charging of the receiver is appropriate, supportingfurther secure communication between the receiver and the server via thecharging pad.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receivingsecure encrypted communication from the receiver at the charging pad viathe NFC communications channel, the secure encrypted communicationincluding an identification of the registered owner of the receiver. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving secure encryptedcommunication from the receiver at the charging pad via the NFCcommunications channel, the secure encrypted communication including astandard by which the receiver must be charged.
 8. The method of claim1, further comprising encrypting the standard by the which the receivermust be charged in the second encrypted token.
 9. The method of claim 1,further comprising receiving secure encrypted communication from thereceiver at the charging pad via the NFC communications channel, thesecure encrypted communication including data related to payment for thecharging.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising encrypting thedata related to payment for the charging in the second encrypted token.11. A charging pad for wirelessly charging a receiver, the charging padcomprising: a controller; a secure element; and an NFC communicationsmodule; wherein the controller, secure element, and NFC communicationmodule are configured to: implement an authentication procedure betweenthe charging pad and a receiver via an NFC communications channel; ifthe authentication procedure is successful between the charging pad andthe receiver via the NFC communication channel, receive a firstencryption token from the receiver; decrypt the first encrypted tokenand store as the first token; send a second encrypted token to a server,wherein the second encrypted token includes an encrypted version of thefirst token and information about the charging pad and further includesthe encrypted identification of the registered owner of the receiver;receive an encrypted response from the server in response to sending thesecond encrypted token; decrypt the response from the server todetermine that charging of the receiver is appropriate; and commencewireless charging of the receiver if it is determined from the decryptedresponse that charging of the receiver is appropriate.
 12. The chargingpad of claim 11, wherein the second encrypted token includes informationabout the location of the charging pad.
 13. The charging pad of claim11, wherein the second encrypted token includes information about theidentity of the charging pad.
 14. The charging pad of claim 11, whereinthe second encrypted token includes information about payment for thecharging.